Salix alba - White Willow

Common in England but less so in the west of Wales, where pussy willow (Goat Willow) is more
prevalent, White Willows are fond of wet ground and often flank rivers and streams.

Left to grow naturally on exposed riverbanks, White Willows (like their
close relative the Crack Willow) tend to split in stormy weather and their
broken, trailing branches can cause obstructions to water flow. These
trees were often coppiced (cut at ground level) or pollarded (cut of at
just above head height) - practices seen less often nowadays.

White Willow is a traditional basket-making material and was also woven
for sheep hurdles. Cricket bats are made from a cultivated derivative of
the White Willow.

The willow shown above has been pollarded many times, its
upper branches being cut right back. New shoots soon grow in their place.

Weeping willows are often grown as ornamental trees in parks and large gardens.